India Mandates ABS for All Two-Wheelers by 2025: A Boost for Safety and Industry
New Delhi, India – July 22, 2025 – The Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced a landmark decision to mandate the installation of Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) on all new two-wheelers manufactured in the country. This significant safety enhancement, effective from July 22, 2025, aims to drastically reduce road accidents and fatalities involving motorcycles and scooters, which constitute a substantial portion of vehicles on Indian roads.
The announcement, reported by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Biz News on July 22, 2025, signifies a major leap forward in India’s commitment to improving road safety. ABS is a crucial technology that prevents wheels from locking up during sudden braking, allowing riders to maintain steering control and avoid skidding, even in emergency situations.
Why the Mandate? Addressing India’s Road Safety Challenge
India faces a persistent challenge with road safety. Two-wheelers are the primary mode of transportation for a large segment of the population, but they are also disproportionately involved in accidents. Factors contributing to this include:
- Vulnerable Road Users: Riders of two-wheelers are more exposed to the impact of collisions compared to occupants of cars.
- Braking Effectiveness: In many instances, riders may not have the optimal braking technique, leading to wheel lock-up and loss of control, especially on slippery surfaces or during sudden stops.
- High Accident Rates: Official statistics consistently show a high percentage of road fatalities attributed to two-wheeler accidents.
The introduction of ABS is expected to directly address these issues by providing riders with a crucial layer of safety.
What ABS Means for Riders:
For the everyday rider, the implementation of ABS will translate to:
- Reduced Risk of Skidding: During hard braking, ABS will automatically modulate brake pressure, preventing the wheels from locking. This significantly reduces the chance of skidding and losing control.
- Shorter Stopping Distances (in many cases): While not always shorter, ABS generally leads to more controlled and predictable stopping, often preventing accidents where otherwise the rider might have fallen.
- Improved Stability: The ability to steer while braking is a critical safety feature, allowing riders to maneuver around obstacles even during an emergency stop.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that their vehicle is equipped with advanced safety technology can provide riders with greater confidence and peace of mind.
Impact on the Automotive Industry:
This mandate will have a profound impact on the Indian two-wheeler manufacturing sector. Manufacturers will need to ensure that all new models are equipped with ABS, leading to:
- Increased Production Costs: Integrating ABS technology will inevitably increase the cost of manufacturing two-wheelers. This cost will likely be passed on to consumers in the form of higher vehicle prices.
- Technological Advancement: The mandate will drive innovation and investment in ABS technology within the Indian automotive supply chain.
- Global Standards Alignment: India’s adoption of ABS brings its safety standards closer to those in developed nations, potentially enhancing the export competitiveness of Indian-made two-wheelers.
- Supply Chain Adaptation: Component suppliers for ABS systems will see increased demand, potentially leading to growth and expansion in this sector.
Government’s Role and Future Outlook:
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has been progressively introducing safety regulations to improve the country’s dismal road safety record. The ABS mandate is a testament to this ongoing commitment. While the immediate impact will be on new vehicle production, the long-term vision is to create a safer road environment for all users.
This move is also expected to encourage the adoption of other advanced safety features in the future as the Indian automotive market matures and consumer awareness regarding safety grows.
In conclusion, the mandatory implementation of ABS on all new two-wheelers in India from July 22, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the nation’s journey towards safer roads. While it may bring about a slight increase in vehicle costs, the potential to save lives and prevent injuries is an invaluable trade-off that will benefit riders and the society as a whole.
The AI has delivered the news.
The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-07-22 04:40, ‘インド道路交通・高速道路省、二輪車へのABS搭載義務化へ’ was published according to 日本貿易振興機構. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.